2 students dead, 3 sent to hospital by STARS after crash north of Wetaskiwin

Two teens were killed in a late-night crash north of Wetaskiwin in central Alberta.

RCMP say around 11 p.m. Friday, police responded to a single-vehicle collision on Highway 814 and Township Road 475.

Five teenages were in the vehicle when the crash occurred. The three that survived the crash were transported to an Edmonton hospital by STARS air ambulance in serious but stable condition.

High school students killed

In a news release posted Saturday afternoon, Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools stated all five in the vehicle were from WRPS schools but did not provide an age range.

“It is with deep regret that we inform you about a recent loss to our school community,” the release stated.

“This loss will raise many emotions, concerns and questions for our entire school division, especially for our students.”

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Superintendent Peter Barron told Global News all five students were in Grade 12 at the high school.

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“Students at such a young age to to have this experience and to have this, this trauma in their lives is very impactful to them, of course, to their families and to our communities,” Barron said.

“Wetaskiwin is a close knit community and everyone is feeling the loss at this time.”

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Barron said losing the students in their final year of high school was especially difficult. The timing also added to the tragedy.

“The weekend of Thanksgiving, when people are looking for all that’s thankful in their life, count their blessings to have such an emotional disruption and to have such a catastrophe,” Barron shared.

“Quite frankly, it’s almost unbearable.”

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The school division reached out to the families to express their condolences.

Barron indicated the victims had siblings who attend other schools in the community.

The school division said its crisis response team will be there for students, parents and staff who need it.

Multiple schools will have counsellors available for any students who may need help surrounding this loss.

WRPS advised people who require support or further assistance to call the child’s school. Those phone numbers can be found on the main WRPS website.

Mounties continue to investigate the crash as the cause is still unknown.